Durham County deputies report that a midweek raid in the Grove Park area led to the arrest of an alleged fentanyl trafficker. Acting on a search warrant Wednesday, deputies took 56-year-old Howard Junior Hutcherson into custody and say they recovered about 30 grams of fentanyl, other drugs, multiple firearms, and a large sum of cash from the home.
According to CBS17, deputies first stopped a man in a vehicle near the residence and found street-level quantities of narcotics on him. That traffic stop was followed by the warrant search at the 400 block of N. Waters Edge Drive, where investigators reported seizing about 30 grams of fentanyl, marijuana and cocaine, at least two handguns, a semi-automatic AK-47-style Draco pistol and a large stash of cash.
Second operation follows major seizure
This latest bust unfolded less than a week after what officials described as a far bigger score. As reported by WRAL, deputies and state agents executed a Feb. 5 search on Newland Place that turned up about 4.6 kilograms of fentanyl, multiple firearms and a large amount of cash.
Sheriff: fentanyl remains top priority
The Durham County Sheriff’s Office has been publicly stressing that fentanyl is at the top of its enforcement list. In a release posted on the sheriff’s website last week, Sheriff Clarence F. Birkhead warned that “Two (2) milligrams can be a lethal dose,” and said investigators are working alongside state and federal partners to disrupt local distribution networks.
Charges and next steps
Per CBS17, Hutcherson faces multiple felony counts, including trafficking in fentanyl and trafficking in cocaine, maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for a controlled substance, possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is being held without bond at the Durham County Detention Center while investigators continue the case…